Let’s be honest: who actually thinks about a PC case? Truth to be told, for years, I didn’t. Like most of the population, I figured any box would do; it just holds components, right?
This mindset, though, led me to a seriously painful mistake.
I was ready for an upgrade, but my old Asus Prime AP201 m-ATX case simply could not handle the new MSI B850 Tomahawk MAX ATX motherboard I had my eye on.
It was a costly, frustrating blunder, and that disappointment revealed something profound: every tiny detail matters.
That experience reshaped my perspective and made me appreciate how the right case can either limit or unlock your hardware ambitions.
It is not just about aesthetics or housing your investment—it is about compatibility, expandability, and ensuring that every feature you want to leverage will fit and function flawlessly as you grow.
But what if I told you I found one? A case that fundamentally breaks the rules and redefines what true premium design actually looks like.
It has become my go-to recommendation if you desire a functional, aesthetic and timeless design, which can blend seamlessly into any environment.
Meet the case
I am talking about the Asus ProArt PA602. This case was originally introduced in 2023, and Asus has since doubled down on its commitment with a new walnut wood variant unveiled in August 2025.
The ProArt series is built on a clear commitment to purpose-built excellence, and the PA602 exemplifies that philosophy at every turn. Asus has ensured this is more than just a case; it is designed to be a central, functional piece in any professional workspace.
This is an engineering marvel with a subtle flair that turns heads without screaming for attention. Articulated to satisfy the demanding weights of creators and professionals, it combines brilliant features, industry-leading cooling, and a clean, RGB-free aesthetic.
PC cases are becoming more like furniture, but here, Asus packed it with features that not just look good but also perform great. And if you look beyond sticker price, the value proposition here is unlike any other on the market.
Masterclass in design and features
The first thing you notice is how elegantly the PA602 flawlessly fuses form with function. It is a minimalist PC case with dark aesthetics and gold accents for the ProArt branding—tastefully done. It is one of the best-designed PC cases I have ever experienced.
The tool-less philosophy is absolute with the PA602.
No part of the case requires a tool to remove, including the side, top, and front panels—just latches and thumbscrews holding it all together.
With just a press of a button, you can pop off the tempered glass side panel. Whether you are tweaking your setup or upgrading your components, everything just works.
Even the heavyweight frame (weighing at 15.8 kg, standing tall at 593 x 560 x 245 mm) is made effortless to manoeuvre, thanks to top bars for carrying and two hidden wheels beneath the power supply.
Beyond the structure, the case is packed with some thoughtful features that you will not find on many other cases.
Asus slipped in an IR dust sensor behind the front panel filter. It monitors filter clog and lights a small LED indicator, giving you a heads-up when it is time for a clean-up.
On top of the front panel is the I/O, you get a 3.5mm jack, one 20Gbps USB-C port, two USB-A 2.0 and two USB-A 3.2 ports, fan controls, a reset button, a power button, and a physical power button lock, great for preventing accidental mistakes.
Additionally, there is a Wi-Fi antenna compartment designed to keep unsightly antennas neatly tucked away for a sleek, cable-free aesthetic.
Cooling excellence
For thermals, the Asus ProArt PA602 is brilliant. It starts with three removable dust filters—front, top, and bottom that keep components pristine.
The case comes pre-installed with a six-fan hub controller and three massive fans: two giant 200mm intakes on the front and a 140mm rear exhaust.
These low-RPM monsters move a ton of air with positive pressure, keeping your system cool without turning your workspace into a wind tunnel.
If you want to take cooling to the next level, adding fans up top or an AIO liquid cooler allows this ProArt case to truly shine.
The case is built for powerful hardware. The 185mm clearance for a CPU cooler easily handles larger air coolers (like my Cooler MasterAir MA824 Stealth), and for liquid cooling enthusiasts, there is support for up to a massive 420mm radiator up top.
To make things more interesting, the PA602 also includes a dedicated GPU vent on the tempered glass side panel.
Finally, the airflow is intelligently optimized further inside the case. The PSU shroud not only conceals cables but also functions as an angled deflector, guiding intake air upward toward critical heat zones.
Similarly, the cable covers to the right of the motherboard tray are also angled to assist in airflow direction.
Building a PC
Assembling a PC inside the Asus ProArt PA602 is easy. This mid-tower case feels like a full-tower, accommodating motherboard sizes from Mini-ITX to E-ATX.
Its generous size means you have more than enough clearance for even the beefiest Nvidia or AMD graphics cards (up to 440mm horizontally) without any issue at all.
You can mount your GPU vertically too, with a 125mm clearance. The tool-less PCIe mounting system ensures that installing or upgrading is as easy as snapping your fingers.
Asus integrated a built-in stand designed to prevent sagging of the GPU and preserve its structural integrity.
While primarily intended for aesthetic purposes, it is effective in its function.
For mass storage, the PA602 is ready for anything. Down below, two HDD cages hold three 3.5-inch trays, but if you are skipping those, you can swap in 2.5-inch drives or remove them entirely to free up internal space.
Alongside the cable management column, you will find four dedicated SSD mounts, complemented by extra HDD/SSD slots tucked behind the motherboard tray.
So, you are absolutely not limited by your motherboard’s storage capacity, not inside the PA602.
You can accommodate a PSU with a maximum length of 190mm beneath the shroud. Getting to the PSU is hassle-free—just unscrew four Philips screws and pop off the front plastic and rear metal shrouds.
Cable management is super simple with this case. With smart channels, clean cut-outs, and handy cable ties, keeping wires tidy between the PSU, board, and drives is surprisingly convenient.
Verdict
If you go to the market, you will see that almost everyone has released a mid-tower PC case.
They charge a small premium for bare basics, but do not solve many of the real problems. In this sea of generic PC cases, the ASUS ProArt PA602 shine with grace.
This is a smart, well-engineered case that makes it a joy to build in and is built to grow alongside your needs.
So, whether you are a video editor, a 3D artist, an analyst or someone who simply wants a supercharged build, the ProArt PA602 will certainly elevate your setup—literally and figuratively. It is a brilliant, long-term investment that will deliver lasting value.
The writer is a contributor and a tech enthusiast
